Equipment
Titleist Vokey SM5 Wedges
Titleist’s new Vokey SM5 wedges offer golfers more tour-preferred grind and bounce options, as well as more spin from their larger third-generation Spin Milled grooves.
The new “TX3” grooves have a 7-percent larger groove volume in two different configurations. The grooves are deeper and narrower on the 46-to-54 degree wedges than the previous generation to deliver better distance and trajectory control, reducing the chance of flyers from the rough.
“On tour these guys have to aim to a lot of small targets,” said Aaron Dill, who builds and grinds Vokey wedges for PGA Tour players. “They need to trust that their golf ball will travel the exact distance they need it to, even from a tough lie in the rough. The deep and narrow TX3 groove helps push the grass down better, which gives you that increased edge radius contact for more spin and consistent distance.”
Above: A Vokey SM5 56-degree wedge with 10 degrees of bounce, an “M Grind” and a “Raw Black” finish.
On the 56-to-62 degree SM5 wedges, the grooves are the same width as the previous generation, but they have a greater depth that adds roughly 400 rpm more spin on full shots from the rough, according to company testing.
“The groove configuration changes with the [56-degree] model because this is where testing showed that the player makes a more oblique impact versus a more direct impact in the lower lofts,” said Master Craftsman Bob Vokey. “The wider TX3 groove on the higher lofts will sheer away the grass, rather than pushing it into the groove, and perform better on partial shots.”
The SM5 wedges are cast from 8620 carbon steel, and are available in lofts from 46 degrees to 62 degrees in two-degree increments. They come in six tour-inspired sole grinds (L, T, S, M, F and K), with each model sorted into low-, mid- and high-bounce categories. That creates a selection of 21 different loft, bounce and grind combinations.
The wedges will be available in stores March 14 in three different finishes — Tour Chrome, Gold Nickel and Raw Black — and will sell for $129. The Tour Chrome and Gold Nickel are plated finishes, while the Raw Black finish will rust over time.
SM5 Sole Grind Descriptions
- L Grind: Narrow crescent sole with small forward bounce surface and minimal camber. Swing type: Slider. Condition type: Firm.
- T Grind: Dual bounce sole with wide trailing bounce surface. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium.
- S Grind: Full sole with straight trailing edge ribbon and moderate heel relief. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium/Soft.
- M Grind: Crescent sole with narrow forward bounce surface and moderate camber. Swing type: Slider/Neutral. Condition type: Firm/Medium.
- F Grind: Full sole with moderate camber and small trailing edge ribbon. Swing type: Slider/Neutral/Digger. Condition type: Firm/Medium/Soft.
- K Grind: Wide sole with increased bounce and enhanced camber. Swing type: Neutral/Digger. Condition type: Medium/Soft.
- LIKE3
- LEGIT4
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT1
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
…The Jailbird craze hasn’t really slowed down in 2024, either. According to Odyssey rep Joe Toulon, there are about 18-20 Jailbird putter users on the PGA TOUR.
Most recently, Akshay Bhatia won the 2024 Valero Texas Open using a broomstick-style Odyssey Jailbird 380 putter and Webb Simpson is switching into a replica of that putter at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Now, Fowler, who essentially started the whole Jailbird craze, is making a significant change to his putter setup.
Fowler, who has had a couple weeks off since the 2024 RBC Heritage, started experimenting with a new, custom-orange Jailbird 380 head that’s equipped with a standard 35-inch putter build, rather than his previous 38-inch counter-balanced setup.
According to Fowler, while he still likes the look and forgiveness of his Jailbird putter head, he’s looking to re-incorporate more feel into his hands during the putting stroke.
He told GolfWRX.com on Tuesday at the Wells Fargo Championship that the 38-inch counterbalanced setup “served its purpose” by helping him to neutralize his hands during the stroke, but now it’s time to try the standard-length putter with a standard-size SuperStroke Pistol Tour grip to help with his feel and speed control.
Although Fowler was also spotted testing standard-length mallets from L.A.B. Golf and Axis1 on Tuesday, he confirmed that the custom Odyssey Jailbird 380 is the putter he’ll use this week at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship.
Head over to PGATour.com for the full article.
- LIKE15
- LEGIT2
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP1
- OB0
- SHANK3
- Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Rogue ST Max LS (9 degrees @7.2, 2 grams lead tape heel, 4 grams toe)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X (44 7/8 inches, tipped 1 inch)
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max D (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (15 degrees @13.9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X (43 inches, tipped 1.5)
Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW Prototype (19 degrees @17.8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 10 X
Irons: Callaway X Forged UT (21 degrees) Buy here, Callaway Apex TCB Raw (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 125 S+
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S @49, 54-10S, 60-08C @61)
Shafts: KBS Hi-Rev 2.0 135 X
Putter: Odyssey Versa Jailbird 380
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Split
Grips: Iomic
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
More photos of Akshay Bhatia’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE5
- LEGIT1
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
- Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees @10)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (15 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
5-wood: Cobra LTDx Prototype (18.5 degrees)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Blue RDX 70 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex TCB (4-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.5
Wedges: Callaway MD3 Milled (46-08S), Callaway Jaws Raw (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-08T)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Emiliano Grillo’s clubs here.
- LIKE1
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
John Daly stuns fans into silence with brutal opening tee shot on PGA Tour Champions
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos...
Emiliano Grillo WITB 2024 (May)
Emiliano Grillo what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Callaway...
Webb Simpson WITB 2024 (May)
Webb Simpson what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Keegan Bradley WITB 2024 (May)
Keegan Bradley’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. >14 clubs pictured. Obviously, Bradley will reduce that number to...
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole2 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
19th Hole1 day agoReport: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole1 week agoGary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoTeam McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoTaylorMade signs 15-year-old AJGA Rolex Junior Player of the Year to an NIL contract
-
Equipment1 week agoGolf fans left surprised by LIV’s choice of course for its 2024 individual championship event
Leglikewood
Feb 15, 2016 at 3:16 pm
What would be the standard bounce/grind setup for a 56 and 60?
Curtis
May 1, 2014 at 12:52 pm
Can’t wait for my wedgework sm5’s this weekend!!
Brian
Mar 22, 2014 at 1:33 pm
What’s the difference between tour chrome finish and gold nickel finish? Durability wise? Purely cosmetic?
Gary Lewis
Mar 22, 2014 at 3:04 pm
I think it is pretty much cosmetic. The Gold might not reflect the sunlight as much as the chrome.
Brian
Mar 23, 2014 at 11:29 am
Thanks! I have black nickel irons and was hoping for a return of that in the wedges but I don’t mind the gold nickel.
Gary Lewis
Mar 2, 2014 at 9:57 am
Nice looking wedges and Vokey is continuing to try to improve on a winning formula, and I would bet they will kick ass on the marketplace. Sounds like Vokey has been able to increase the performance with the grooves. Kudos on that. I have just bought a few of the Cally Mack Daddy 2’s, which I like very much, but the SM5 looks like another winner too and it appears he likes Mizunos idea on the grooves. Can’t wait to see these in person.
Jericho
Feb 5, 2014 at 3:13 pm
just had a set of mp-4’s built matched with x100’s played Monterey on my birthday for the first time with these was 4 under through 14 then gave it back away for an even par 71 ..I’ll take it.. with that said..do I get mp t4 wedgeswith s400 to keep the same feel or wait for sm5’s..kinda leaning towards mp t4 ?
Rich
Jan 22, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Never been excited about a Vokey line before but I’m very keen to see these. I’m getting sick of my ’09 X Forged wedges (even though the original MD grooves were cavernous!) and these look nice.
simon
Jan 22, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Very much like my Mizuno’s design only with less feel.
There does seem to be more options with the SM 5 but the lack of forging keeps the Mizzy’s in my bag.
sam Brooks
Jan 22, 2014 at 1:31 pm
Yea sounds like they have use mizunos quad cut idea.. Mizunos have some crazy bite on partials even when chipping you can control the spin really well.. Hmm yea think I’ll stick with mizzys
Chris S
Jan 22, 2014 at 7:35 pm
absofreakinlutely. I bought two Vokey wedges for a total of nearly $400 last year and they won’t be in the bag this year. I would be willing to pay more for forged versions because the grinds are great. Just wish the feel was there.
sam Brooks
Jan 22, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Sweet..
Mark Burke
Jan 22, 2014 at 9:28 am
When I was living in the Tubes in Palm Springs. I never thought I would see a day when vokey would offer so many options on their stock wedges. Now if I can only get my shot on tour, I can maybe use these wedges to get me to the promise land. My caddy New York is coaching me up right now, this year is the year I clear my name.
Harry Dorton
Jan 21, 2014 at 10:25 pm
Look like every other Vokey of past 15 years.
Chris G
Jan 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm
So excited for these. Has noticed a big drop in spin on partial shots with SM4’s. glad to see they fixed that issue. Raw Black in 46,54 and 60 for me please.
Harry Dorton
Jan 21, 2014 at 10:24 pm
I am sure it is the club.
Troll
Feb 24, 2014 at 9:16 pm
Harry’s taking out his 18th hole frustrations on everyone else
Phil
Jan 21, 2014 at 2:44 pm
Sounds like Mizuno design with the different grooves.
Kimmy
Jan 21, 2014 at 1:39 pm
Does Raw Black mean it will rust?
Deaus
Jan 21, 2014 at 2:31 pm
Yes, it will rust. Rust can provide extra spin some say. If you dont like the rust you can use an oil that Vokey has, or stuff I use called SCHUTZ, I have a set of PVD irons that rust really easy but this oil prevents it.
Dave
Jan 21, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Does the oil mess with spin? More of a question of whether oil residue stays on the club, which I would expect to impact spin / crisp contact.
John Aiello
Jan 21, 2014 at 12:30 pm
These look great. My only wish was that they did not add the bounce number in red below the loft number on the toe of the club. I think it looks cheesy.
Jeremy
Jan 21, 2014 at 9:56 am
Will all of the SM5 finishes be offered in Left Hand?
Cole
Feb 5, 2014 at 4:37 pm
The tour chrome and raw black are available in LH but I am not sure about the gold nickel